A Click of a Button or a Journey Through the Levels of Hell?

It seems like everyday that I am on Overstock.com. I don’t know what it is about online shopping that makes me do it. Maybe it’s the fact I don’t have to leave and deal with crowded streets or stores. Maybe its because, I never have to try on anything, or tediously rummage through, books, media, or clothes to find exactly what I’m looking for. I think when it really comes down to it, its all about shopping and the convenience of it.

The site itself, it primarily used to buy merchandise that has been “overstocked,” at other retail stores and can now be sold cheaper, and still at a new quality, at a simple click of a button. Overstock.com can also be used as an action site, which is very similar to other online auction sites. Overstock, sells anything from clothes, books, multi-media, etc, all the way down to “world goods.” In many ways the site, is a Bed Bath and Beyond, Nordstrom, and Pier One, all on one site with many other smaller retailers. It’s this type of accessibility that breaks the conventions of having to go out and buy merchandise.

Normally when you want to go shopping it starts out fun, but always has the pit falls of the whole consumer driven attitude. First, you have to either, A: Find a ride/ carpool, B: take local transportation, or C: take your own means (Car, walking, etc.) Now based on personal experience, and others thoughts or own experiences, this can be a rather “hellish ordeal.” There is almost always traffic, fighting for parking, dodging pedestrians with there carts, and five children following behind, or the people that have to re-park and adjust 80 times. The next level of Hell is, trying to not become one of these so called “pedestrians,” and making it completely intact inside the store; this also goes for finding a cart and making sure it works without squeaking, pulling to one side, or any other hang ups. Now we come to Purgatory, were the actual shopping takes place; you can either find exactly what you want in a split second, or you can spend endless hours looking for what you want and when you find “it,” its either not your size, broken, or too much to afford (unless you take out a small loan.) Now, doesn’t this sound fun? This is where I’ll play your tiny voice in your head, “Easy, computer, click of a button, find everything you want at one place shopping, OR experiencing the levels of hell, with its screaming little demons running around and crying, an never ending journey though isles of crap you really don’t need, and finding what you wanted only to find it was all a mirage?” I choose option number one, which is why I shop on Overstock.com.

Over all, the site is easy to use and it saves you not only time, but also a small fortune. What’s the catch, right? Well, yes there are some little things, and tid-bits of knowledge that are necessary to succeeding at using the site. Numero Uno: you need some type of fundable credit card or debit card…..you know….just in case you really wanted to shop and buy things…..small minor detail. Number 2: you must know how to not only turn on your computer, but access the internet, and type in the words, “Overstock.com.” Number 3: you will need to create a log in, username and password, and finally, you must have some type of residence, in which your items can be shipped to you. To be quite honest; that’s it! The rest is already on the home page with clickable tabs, with different subject items, and an easy to see ‘search’ option if you wanted to be more specific. The site is completely free to browse and become a member (unless you decided to do a member credit card…..tricky tricky) and everything thing you buy is new, in style, and significantly marked down, making not only you, but your bank account happy.